Maui Man Sentenced to 18 Years for Meth Trafficking

A Wailuku man was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison on Tuesday for meth trafficking charges, according to the US Attorney’s office for the District of Hawaiʻi.

John Lee Balberdi, 39, was arrested and prosecuted after more than 550 grams of pure methamphetamine was seized from a Kahului home of a co-conspirator in February of 2009, said US Attorney Florence Nakakuni.

According to the US Attorney’s office, Balberdi admitted to distributing another 40 pounds of methamphetamine in between March 2007 and February 2009.

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The case was investigated by the FBI and the Maui Police Department, and prosecuted by the US Attorney’s office.

Sentencing on the conspiracy and intent to distribute charges was handed down by Chief US District Judge Susan Oki Mollway.